The family and colleagues of two eminent doctors who were killed when a truck hit their Harley Davidson during a holiday in Florida spoke today of their devastation.

Leading heart surgeon Dr Walter Rhoden, 47, and his GP wife Dr Kathryn Phipps, 45, were killed on a popular biker route nine miles from Florida's Daytona Beach.

The couple, both motor enthusiasts, were on holiday with their three children, Jamie, Emily and Oliver, when a Nissan Frontier pulled across their pathway on Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

It is believed Dr Rhoden swerved to avoid the car, but the 2008 Harley Davidson dropped on its right side, slid along, and hit the right-hand side of the truck.

The couple, from Hoyland, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, were pronounced dead at the scene.

They were on holiday with their three teenage children, Jamie, Emily and Olivia, aged between 12 and 17, who are understood to have been at the family timeshare in Orange Lake Resort, Orlando, at the time of the crash.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr Phipps' father, Mike Phipps, said today the pair were "exceptional doctors and fantastic parents".

"We've all been devastated by the news of this tragic accident," he said.

"Information from Florida is very sketchy at the moment but what we understand is that a vehicle turned into the path of the motorcycle that Kathryn and Walter were riding."

'Full of life': GP Kathy Phipps was also killed in the accident with her husband

Dr Rhoden and his wife were both wearing helmets when they were flung from their bike at 1.30pm on Sunday.

Florida Highway Patrol officers said the driver of the Nissan truck, 25-year-old Daniel Couse Jr, was trying to turn into a driveway when he drove into their path.

No charges have been filed against Mr Couse, of Ormond-by-the-Sea, but the investigation is ongoing.

Mr Phipps described his daughter, who worked as a GP at Woodgrove Surgery in Wath Upon Dearne, as "a one off - flamboyant, engaging and patients loved her".

He added: "Kathy was a superb mother, an exceptional colleague, a talented and loving daughter and sister to Maureen.

"They leave behind three teenage children and our main concern now is for their welfare and wellbeing."

Colleagues and friends of Dr Rhoden, a consultant cardiologist who had worked at Barnsley District Hospital for 16 years, said his death was a "shocking blow".

A statement from Barnsley Hospital NHS Trust said: "Dr Walter Rhoden was a highly respected doctor and a much loved colleague.

"His tragic and untimely death is a shocking blow to his colleagues and huge loss to the people of Barnsley.

"He made such a difference and touched so many people's lives as well as being an inspirational mentor."

Fellow heart specialist Dr Basil Saeed said Dr Rhoden - whose eldest son is believed to have a congenital heart condition - had been particularly proud of his introduction of an EECP (enhanced external counter-current pulsation) machine to the department.

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Dream machine: Dr Rhoden bought his Harley Davidson motorbike from the proceeds of his sports car

The innovative technology, nicknamed "squeezy pants", consists of a pair of compressive trousers - similar to blood pressure cuffs - which inflate and deflate in time with the patient's heartbeat to encourage blood flow and help arteries grow.

Dr David Bullimore, clinical director at Barnsley General Hospital and friend of the couple, said both doctors would be sorely missed.

"Both had terrific charisma and enthusiasm for work, play and family life," he said.

"We mourn them as lost friends, as they will be mourned and missed in their local community in which they played such an active role.

"Our sympathy goes out to their three children, who they so adored, and who formed such a major part of their lives."

Earlier, a hospital spokesman had said: "He was an absolutely fabulous man. Many of his colleagues are utterly speechless at the news."

Dr Rhoden's colleagues and former students praised him yesterday for his dry sense of humour, "wildly-coloured hair, infectious enthusiasm and ability to shop".

Dr Mark Atkin, a senior partner at Valley Medical Centre, Sheffield, where Dr Rhoden ran a cardiology clinic for ten years, said: "Walter was very old-fashioned in that if somebody had a problem, he would pursue it until the very end, and make sure it would get completed. He cared."

Dr Atkin said that the couple would be remembered for their outgoing personalities, adding: "They were larger than life, and the manner in which they died in a way shows how they loved life to the full."

Dr Phipps' colleagues at her GP surgery in Wath described her death as not only a loss for her patients but for the wider community in Barnsley.

She had helped to train doctors in South Yorkshire, and was involved in a number of different health initiatives including an adolescent task group.

Doctors Martin Sics, Andrew Mellor and Heather Smith said in a statement: "Kathy was a truly extraordinary and unique woman who worked so hard and lived every moment of her life to the full.

"We are grateful to have known her and will miss her so much."

Social worker Louise Hobson, Dr Phipps's patient for more than 10 years, said: "She was a really charismatic woman, always full of life and very caring. She was an extremely good doctor."

The couple's children are believed to have flown back to England on Monday, and are being cared for by members of their extended family and their long-term nanny.

Dr Phipps' father said the family was trying to come to terms with the shock of what had happened and asked for time to grieve in private.

It is understood Dr Rhoden sold his TVR sports car about a year ago to buy himself the Harley-Davidson.

Dr Phipps, who was riding pillion passenger, had been planning to get her own motorcycle licence on their return.